Following the L on a bicycle (Chicago, Lincoln: credit, vacation, bike)

[pannierpacker]

Hey everyone,
I am vacationing in Chicago this weekend and am looking for some interesting places to exploring. I've been pretty fascinated by the L and am staying close to the red-line. I've noticed in some cases there are very long alleyways that go along the L. I brought my bicycle and would like to explore one of these. Does anyone know where the longest alleway is that runs parallel to the L. A street would suffice too.

[marothisu]

Not sure all over, but the ones I can think of would be near the Damen-O'Hare stop of the Blue Line in Wicker Park and also around the Wellington Brown Line in Lakeview.

[Drover]

Lake Street would be the most obvious one; the Green Line runs above Lake Street for about 6 miles, from downtown al the way to Laramie Avenue. Just be aware that once you get past the California stop, you'dd be in a pretty rough part of town. Even so, from downtown out to California would give you over 3 miles of track to ride under.

[tommy_407]

The RedLine is huge where are you staying how far north/south? It runs pretty straight; but check out Uptown starting at Lawrence and then you can bike pretty much underneath the L until you hit the Fullerton Area. I give you credit that sounds like a bad as little thing to do. I might just do that too one day when I snag a bike

[marothisu]

I guess if you don't want JUST alleyways, you could follow through a lot - the entire Loop basically, the Brown Line too on Franklin Street, etc.You could basically start in the Loop, do that, and follow the Brown Line north of the river for awhile, which also then has the Red Line emerging from the subway after awhile in Lincoln Park.